From 9–13 February 2026, energy regulators, regional institutions and development partners gathered in Vilankulos, Mozambique, to take part in the Annual Conference of the Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA), co-hosted by the Energy Regulatory Authority of Mozambique (ARENE). Held under the theme “Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Secure Sustainable Energy Supply,” the conference provided a platform to explore how coordinated regulatory action and cross-border collaboration can enhance reliability, affordability and sustainability of electricity systems across Southern Africa.
Ahead of the conference, the Twelfth Forum of Board Members and Commissioners of RERA member regulators had brought together senior regulatory leadership to exchange experiences on governance and cooperation. The Forum served as a peer-learning space for commissioners to reflect on shared regulatory challenges and approaches to strengthening cooperation, enabling to diversify perspectives across regional contexts.
At the conference, GET.transform shared expert insights in a session on the role of cooperating partners in strengthening regional collaboration. GET.transform’s Regional Window Coordinator Christine Juta presented the Africa Energy System Transformation Outlook (Africa ESTO), highlighting how evidence-based planning tools can support regulators and governments in aligning national energy strategies with regional transition pathways. GET.transform also contributed to the panel discussion “The Role of Developmental Partners to Enhance Regional Collaboration for Sustainable Energy Development,” moderated by Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority CEO Edington Mazambani, and involved representatives from the African Development Bank, the RERA Secretariat and the Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority.
On Day 3, GET.transform further contributed through moderation of the panel discussion “The Journey Towards a Single Electricity Market in Africa and the Role of Regional Regulatory Authorities.” The discussion focused on the practical role of regional regulatory authorities in supporting harmonisation of market rules and regulatory frameworks, strengthening cooperation among national regulators, and ensuring that regional and continental electricity market initiatives are implemented in a coherent, transparent and predictable manner. Panelists reflected on institutional arrangements required to enhance coordination across regions, the balance between national mandates and continental objectives, and capacity-building needs to support regulatory integration.
In addition, GET.transform presented the findings of a feasibility assessment on potential new market structures for the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The assessment examined regulatory alignment, institutional readiness and financial sustainability across several proposed market products, including a regional Renewable Energy Certificate market, a financial over-the-counter market, transmission capacity reselling mechanisms, and the potential development of ancillary services markets. The analysis emphasised the importance of sequencing reforms, ensuring stakeholder buy-in, and aligning new market initiatives with SAPP’s institutional mandate and demonstrated demand.
Across sessions, participants analysed Southern Africa’s persistent challenges such as infrastructure gaps, uneven resource distribution, financing constraints and climate impacts. It was collectively acknowledged that these matters require coordinated regional solutions rather than isolated national responses.
This year’s RERA Conference reaffirmed the central role of regional regulatory cooperation in advancing a secure, affordable and sustainable energy future for Southern Africa, while highlighting the continued importance of collaboration between regulators and development partners in accelerating the region’s energy transition.
